By Raphaël MORENON
3 August 2025
Payment by bankcard has become so commonplace for retailers that it is almost invisible. Yet behind every transaction lies a precise contractual framework: the acceptance contract. This document, which binds the supplier to the card issuer, governs all their relations, from joining the system to the settlement of transactions. Far from being a mere technical formality, it establishes a set of obligations and responsibilities that, if ignored, can have significant consequences. This article is part of our wider exploration of the complete legal guide to payment cards and focuses on the dynamics of this contractual relationship, which is fundamental to any commercial activity. Joining card payment systems for merchants The parties to the acceptance contract: issuer (bank) and supplier (merchant) The card payment acceptance contract is concluded between two main players. On the one hand, the issuer, which is generally the...
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